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PIA News Service - Friday, June 19, 2009

52 Former Rebels (FRs) received assistance from OPAPP

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through its Social Integration Program (SIP) awarded the Immediate Assistance, Livelihood Assistance in Capital Goods equivalent to Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) per Former Rebels (FRs) and the Firearms Remuneration of the surrendered firearms to the former members of the CPP-NPA who returned to the folds of the law just recently. These awards are part of the socio-economic package of the program intended to facilitate their integration to mainstream society.

On behalf of Secretary AVELINO I. RAZON, JR. the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Governor MARIA VALENTINA G. PLAZA of the Province of Agusan del Sur personally handed the awards to the Former Rebels (FRs) or Kauban sa Reporma (KRs) during the 42nd Foundation Day Celebration of the province on June 17, 2009. The Governor was assisted by Vice Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr., Assistant Division Commander of 4ID PA BGEN Rolito B. Abad, Brigade Commander of 402nd Brigade PA Colonel Emiliano R. Gupana II, PNP Provincial Director Senior Supt Antonio B. Paguirigan and Father Carlito Clase a member of the Local Social Integration Committee (LSIC) and other public officials of Agusan del Sur.

Thirty (30) KRs received their Livelihood Assistance in Capital Goods equivalent to Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) each; this is amounting to One Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 1,500,000.00). Another Twenty (20) KRs received their Immediate Assistance amounting to Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php 20,000.00) each; this is equivalent to Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 400,000.00). Firearms Remuneration also amounted to Two Hundred Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred Pesos (Php 218,700.00) was paid to the 22 KRs who surrendered their firearms to the government. The Total Amount released was TWO MILLION ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED PESOS (Php 2,118,700.00).

Part of the socio-economic package awarded to the KRs includes the following:

On June 1-5, 2009 before the awarding was held the Former Rebels were given lectures/trainings on Values Formation, Cooperative Development, Masaganang Vegetable Garden Program (MVGP), Culture of Peace, Overview on RA 8371 or the IPRA Law, Family Budgeting and equally important was the Critical Incidence Stress Debriefing. This training was required to the FRs before they can avail of the capital goods from the program in order to capacitate themselves. The said training was facilitated by the member agencies of the Local Social Integration Committee (LSIC) of the Province of Agusan del Sur. The agencies that facilitated the training were the following: PSWD, ASERBAC (Agusan Sur Economic Research and Business Assistance Center), Provincial Cooperative Office, Provincial Agriculture Office, NCIP Provincial Office, DepED Division Office and Provincial Veterinary Office.

It is the long-term objective of the Social Integration Program (SIP) that the Former Rebels (FRs) or fondly called as KAUBAN sa REPORMA (KRs) can have a genuine and sustainable socio-economic intervention and will be able to integrate to mainstream society. (Jair C. Persigas, OPAPP/ PIA-Caraga)

Siargao port construction gains positive reviews

SURIGAO DEL NORTE – The present administration is now in full gear for the rehabilitation and construction of new seaports to provide convenient transport facilities to domestic and foreign tourists in the country.

In Siargao, having been known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) – Port Management Office in Surigao bared several port projects in Surigao del Norte slated for expansion or rehabilitation.

These include the rehabilitation of causeway in the port of Sta. Monica in Siargao Island, a six hundred (600) meters long and six (6) meters wide concrete Causeway project amounted to P40Million. It was reported that some portions of the causeway were already damaged as evidenced by massive cracks.

Another is the construction of new port in Pilar town in Siargao Island with a total estimated budget of P30Million. The scope of work covers the construction of wharf and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area and a drainage system plus port lighting system.

Dredging of channel (waterway) in the port of Del Carmen, municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte amounted to P50 Million. Re-channeling of waterway in Brgy. Consolacion in Dapa amounted to P3Million. Another dredging of channel (waterway) in Dapa port amounted to P38Million.

Still in Dapa, the construction of new port in Brgy. Jubang amounted to P75 Million. It covers the construction of wharf and RO-RO ramp with a back-up area and a drainage system plus port lighting system.

After hearing the news about the new port project currently undertaken by PPA in Brgy. Jubang, Aling Nita Libay of Brgy. Jubang could not help but express her gratitude to the Arroyo administration for the support they have given.

"I believe these port projects in Siargao will have a big impact especially here in our barrio," Aling Nita said adding that the project is a tool for the community’s development.

Meanwhile, Sixto Virtudazo in Pilar town believed that with the proposed construction of the new port in the game fishing capital, it is now easier for the local and foreign tourists to reach them.

“Mahayahay na isab karajaw an amo pagkadto sa Surigao kun magdaya kami nan mga butang didto. Salamat karajaw sa ini na proyekto. (It is also easier for us to reach Surigao City if we bring goods there. Thank you very much for this project)," he said.

Indeed, even local officials here are confident that with the construction and rehabilitation of these ports and terminal facilities, traveling to these seaports is now convenient not just to the local and foreign tourists but also to the people living in the area. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

.Lanuza dub as “HALL of FAME” for GPK 09TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR – This year’s “49th Araw ng Surigao del Sur celebration mark as best to the municipality of Lanuza who got the award of Excellence, “Hall of Fame” for the “Gawad Pangulo sa KAPALIGIRAN 09” (GPK).

Lanuza was consistently the best performer for 3 consecutive years under category B, the 4th to 6th class municipality from 2007 up to the present. Mayor Algerico Irizari received the Plaque of Excellence with a cash amounting to P20,000.00, awarde by Governor Vicente T. Pimentel Jr.For Category A (1st-3rd class municipality), Hinatuan grabbed the first place for 2 consecutive years now. The Plaque of Excellence was received by Vice Mayor Cristina Camba with the cash prize of P16,000.00. Barobo got the second place and received the plaque of Recognition with a cash amounting to P12,000.00. The municipality of Cantilan winning the 3rd place. Mayor Tomasa Guardo received a Plaque of Recognition and a cash amounting to P10,000.00.

For Category B (4th to 6th class municipality), Carrascal got the 1st place. Mayor Alfred B. Arreza received the Plaque of Excellence and a cash prize amounting to P16,000.00. 2nd place goes to Cagawait represented by Vice Mayor Vieme Estal who received the Plaque of Recognition and a cash amounting to P12,000.00. Following Carmen as 3rd place represented by Mayor Antonio T. Borda, Jr., who received the Plaque of Recognition and a cash prize amounting to P10,000.00.

Bislig got the first place for the City category represented by Vice Mayor Conrad Cejoco received the Plaque of Excellence and a cash prize.

The program was sustainably implemented by the provincial government of Surigao del Sur under the leadership of Governor Vicente T. Pimnetel, Jr. thru the issuance of Executive order # 03-2007. GPK program locally recognizing the positive impact to the component cities and municipalities that institutionalize the value of saving the environment as a way of life among the Surigaonons.

BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga has awarded 8,322 job contracts under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the celebration of the 111th Independence Day and Service Fair on June 12,2009 held at the Inland Resort Convention Hall in Butuan City .

The Cabinet Officer for Regional Development Caraga Region ,Secretary Joseph H. Durano (right) of the Department of Tourism being assisted by the DENR top officials in Caraga Region headed by Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser, Regional Technical Director for Forest Management Services Virgilio dela Cruz, PENRO Sixto C. Badua of Agusan del Sur, PENRO Rosendo Asunto of AGusan del Norte and CENR Officer Jaime Acebu awarded 8,322 job and livelihood program certificates under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the celebration of the 111th Independence Day and Service Fair on June 12,2009 held at the Inland Resort Convention Hall in Butuan City.

Secretary Joseph H. Durano of the Department of Tourism in his capacity as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) of Caraga Region was at hand to give the job certificates and livelihood programs to 8,322 beneficiaries coming from the different places in the region.

There were 1,307 persons who were hired through the Bantay Gubat in Surigao del Sur and 50 in Dinagat Island .

The DENR Regional Office has hired 18 persons under the EO 782.

Moreover, the Ecosystems Research and Development Services led by OIC, Regional Technical Director Jermias Bruzon has distributed 20,000 “malungay” seedlings and 20,000 other planting materials like “ Palawan Cherry” and “Batanes Pine” flowering tree species during the job fair. Apart from its high nutritional value, the malungay is also useful in soil stabilization. (Herzon F. Gallego, DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)

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Dialogue for GSIS members slated in Butuan

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BUTUAN CITY – “Information is public service, so the public has the right to know…”In order to enlighten Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) members on the issues of system’s computerization, GSIS Caraga Regional Office is scheduled to conduct a Dialogue for all GSIS Member-Agency on June 26, 2009 at 8:00 – 12:00 in the morning at the Dottie’s Place, J. C. Aquino Avenue, this city.

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According to GSIS Regional Manager, Mamole Pangandaman, the activity is geared towards GSIS drive for an intensive information dissemination to all GSIS members on the System’s objectives of the reforms, the historical events that happened during the shift of computerized environment (open system) and short and long-term objectives of the system.

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Mamole added that to fully disseminate the information, all Heads of GSIS member-agencies and administrative officers are invited to join the scheduled activity inorder to have knowledge and information with regards to the current GSIS status including the programs for the coming years.

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is inviting Filipinos to join the Philippine Business in Development (BiD) Challenge 2009. BiD Challenge is a business plan competition for poverty reduction. Any entrepreneur, employee, returning OFW, or organization from Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao may submit business concepts online until August 30, 2009.

Fr. Xavier Alpasa, SJ receives the grant prize of 20,000 euros from BiD Network Foundation in the Netherlands. Fr. Alpasa together with a group of young entrepreneurs from the Ateneo de Manila University and famous designers like Rajo Laurel and Amina Aranaz, helped women-weavers from Payatas develop cheap scrap cloth and potholders into more lucrative designer bags.

A start-up capital in support of the socially-responsible, innovative business concept await the 10 prospective winners of the competition.

“Beyond the capital, finding investors for these innovative businesses will create greater impact. PBSP is committed to matching finalists and winners with investors in the Philippines and Europe as we have done in the past two years,” expressed Manuel V. Pangilinan, PBSP Chairman and Chairman of PLDT and SMART Communications, Inc.

To qualify, the business concept should demonstrate that it can generate profit, has a social return, and will protect the environment. Businesses that demonstrate ability to produce these triple bottom lines will be selected. Qualified business ideas will be matched with business advisers, who will help entrepreneurs develop a full-blown business plan.

In 2008, PBSP sent BiD Challenge top winners, Rags2Riches and EchoStore to compete in the International BiD competition in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Rags2Riches won the top prize and received £20,000. It has also received offers from investors.

Rags2Riches transforms scrap cloth into bags designed by Rajo Laurel and Amina Aranaz, and produced by women from the Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City.

“We now earn more from the bags. We used to just weave rags for P8 each. Then Fr. Xavier Alpasa came to Payatas. This cloth, which we weave carefully, could have ended up as pot holders. But now it is beautiful because of the design and the help of Fr. Xavier,“ Anna Annipao, 41, one of the women-weavers, explained in Tagalog.

PBSP implements programs nationwide to help reduce poverty. PBSP’s Enterprise Development Program supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through provision of micro- and SME credit, business advice, and the BiD Challenge.

Submission of entries is now open at www.bidnetwork.org/philippines. Deadline is on August 30, 2009. For more information about PBSP, log on to www.pbsp.org.ph. (Danilo Escabarte, PBSP)

On June 16, 2009 at 9:00 in the evening at Purok Gumamila, Barangay Ipil, Surigao City, initial investigation disclosed that the suspect identified as Rodny Frondoza, 37 years old stoned the victim identified as Julito Mapa, 34 years old, married, fisherman and resident of said place while walking along the seawall of said place without apparent reason hitting on his leg.

Thereafter, victim went to the house of the suspect to confront him in an effort to amicably settle but he was shot by Rony Frondoza, 25 years old (brother of Rodny Frondoza) using improvised shotgun locally known as “sumpak” hitting different parts of victim's body.

PNP elements of Surigao City Police Station led by PO3 Gorgod assigned at Barangay Ipil Outpost proceeded to the crime scene and brought the victim to Caraga Regional Hospital for medical treatment while suspects were arrested and temporarily detained at Surigao City Police Station Detention cell for filing of appropriate charges in court. Progress report to follow.

Also, on June 17, 2009 at 9:00 in the morning in front of the Main gate of Bislig City Hall, TSgt Martin Pino, Bona fide member of 28th IB, Phil Army was shot by unidentified person using cal .45 pistol but the victim was unharmed after the suspect missed the target.

Initial investigation disclosed that the incident transpired when TSgt Pino was on his way to attend the court hearing at the Hall of justice at Bislig City.

PNP elements of Bislig City Police Station conducted follow-up operation but suspects managed to escape. Flash alarm was disseminated to adjacent Municipal Police Station to track down suspects and established checkpoints.

As a result, PNP elements of Barobo Municipal Police Station while conducting checkpoint operation was able to apprehend suspected perpetrators while riding TMX 155 motorcycle, color red, bearing plate number KS 7654 driven by Ernito Genzon, 35 years old, married, businessman and resident of Magsaysay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur and certain PFC Artemio Pagios, 31 years old, single, member of 29IB, Phil Army based at Maramag, Bukidnon.

Confiscated from the possession of PFC Pagios were two unit cal .45 pistol bearing serial number 711967 COLT with six live ammos and one magazine and another Caspian caliber .45 pistol with serial number 385014 with one magazine.

Said suspects failed to show pertinent documents at the time of arrest. Suspects are now detained at Barobo Municipal Police Station for filing of appropriate charges in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

Report on illegal gambling

On June 17, 2009 at 11:05 in the morning at Purok Sari-sari B, Barangay Golden Ribbon, Butuan City, PNP personnel of Vice Control Section of Butuan City Police Station 1 (BCPS 1) led by PSINSP Ronaldo V Plaza conducted operation against illegal gambling which resulted to the confiscation of one unit fruit game machine with undetermined peso coins inside from the possession of a certain Florencio Delin (caretaker), 53 years old, married and resident of said place.

Said Machine was brought to the Office of Vice Control Section of BCPS1 for recording and proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

Report on loose firearm

On June 16, 2009 at 10:30 in the morning at the national highway of Placer, Surigao del Norte, PNP elements of Placer Municipal Police Station conducted checkpoint at said place which resulted to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Rodolfo Dizon Carbonilla, 42 years old, married, Portal Guard of Anselmo Espanto Tunnel and resident of Mapaso, Barangay Magsaysay, Placer, Surigao del Norte.

Confiscated from the suspect’s possession were one unit cal .38 revolver marked ARMSCOR with six live ammos, bearing serial number 1004050 and another three live ammos recovered from the right pocket of his fatigue short pants.

Suspect failed to show pertinent documents to justify legality of said firearms. Suspect was brought to Placer Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

PNP arrests wanted persons

On June 16, 2009 at 3:30 in the afternoon at District 5, Barangay Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, a certain Rogelio Aragon Nalzaro, 26 years old, resident of said place was arrested by PO2 Maglasang of Nasipit Municipal Police Station by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Eduardo S Casals of RTC Branch 1, Libertad, Butuan City charged for violation of RA 9262 (Violence Against Women and Children) docketed under CC number 13275 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 60,000.00.

Suspect was brought to Nasipit Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Also, on June 17, 2009 at 4:00 in the afternoon at Barangay Villa Kananga, Butuan City, PNP elements of Butuan City Police Office led by SPO3 Alexander Morgadez arrested the suspect identified as Catalino Nuer, 18 years old, single and resident of Purok-4, Barangay Villa Kananga, Butuan City by virtue of WOA under CC number 13434 for theft, issued by Hon Judge Edgar Manilag of RTC Branch 33, Butuan City dated June 10, 2009 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 40,000.00.

Subject person was turned over to the issuing court for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)